Social Media

Introduction

Whatever part of FundApps we work in we are ambassadors for our company.

Lots of us are having conversations and sharing through social media or online communities. We approach the online world in the same way we do the physical one – by using sound judgement, respect and common sense.

Who’s this policy for?

It applies to anyone working for and on behalf of FundApps. This policy doesn’t form part of your contract and may be amended at any time.

What types of social media does this cover?

This policy covers the use of any online platform which can be used for networking, sharing information or opinions. This includes posting comments, pictures, videos, blogging, using forums, sending private messages relating to FundApps its clients or colleagues, endorsing other people’s content and re-tweeting/circulating posts. It covers platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Yammer and Instant Messaging services e.g. WhatsApp, etc., or any other existing or new social media platforms, whether it’s internal or external on your own or a work device.

Can I say that I work for FundApps on my profile?

If you want to then yes you can; just make sure it’s clear that you’re not speaking on behalf of FundApps and say that ‘all views are my own’ somewhere on your profile.

How should I use social media (including internal sites)?

Be yourself

If your profile mentions FundApps, be honest about who you are and what you do. Never share your login details or let others post on your behalf. If you’re leaving, remember to update your profile with your new company name or employment status.

Be respectful

Be respectful to other people, even if you disagree with their opinion.

Don’t post things or send messages that could damage our reputation, bring the company into disrepute or cause actual or likely harm to the company or colleagues.

Don’t use statements, photos, videos, audio or send messages that reasonably could be viewed as malicious, abusive, offensive, obscene, threatening, intimidating or contain nudity or images of a sexual nature, or that could be seen as bullying, harassment or discrimination.

Use common sense

You’re responsible for what you put online and any impact it has on others so set up privacy settings if you need to. Never give out personal or private information about colleagues or clients. As a general rule, if you wouldn’t say or show it to your manager, then it’s probably not appropriate to post or send it online!

And remember, what you post or send can be difficult to delete once it’s online.

Be aware

Help us protect our company and reputation by thinking carefully about what you put online. If you see something online that concerns you please talk to the senior management team.

Did you know?

Even when you say something is your personal opinion we can still be held liable, so pause and think before you post.

You should never assume your social media content won’t reach a wider, public audience. Even if it was originally meant for a small group of friends or for a private message, colleagues or clients may have access to things you put online.

Disseminating confidential or sensitive information; or posting, sharing or endorsing inappropriate messages about your colleagues or FundApps, could result in disciplinary action, which could lead to your dismissal.

Protecting our business

To help protect our business anything you develop or create, including programs or documentation, whilst working for us remains the property of FundApps and must not be used or shared on social media sites or online forums, unless you have specific permission from your director to do so.

Never reveal confidential or sensitive information including anything that is given to us in confidence by suppliers or third parties.

This includes information about FundApps which is not in the public domain.

Respect intellectual property laws

Intellectual property laws (which include copyright and trademarks) are in place to protect the ideas people have, create or develop so that other people can’t steal or use them without permission. For example, FundApps is our trademark, which means we can stop other people from using it on their products.

We must always take care to protect intellectual property rights and respect the rights of others. Stealing someone’s idea can reflect badly on FundApps and damage client trust.

Most forms of published information are protected by copyright, which means you shouldn’t re-use it without getting the owner’s permission first.

Copyright applies to stuff that’s used both internally and externally so make sure you always respect copyright and see permission first – even if it’s only being used within FundApps. Copyright can also apply when sharing content on Twitter and Facebook, so be mindful when doing this.

Can I use my FundApps email address when I’m using social media?

You should use your personal e-mail address unless you’re speaking on behalf of the company (and are authorised to do so).

Can I use the company logo, brand name or pictures of the office etc. in my posts?

Yes, as long as it’s connected with work, appropriate to post, does not reveal confidential information and any people in the photo are happy for it to be posted.

Can I use social media during working hours?

Yes, if you’re using social media for part of your job or it’s related to work (for example, to help a client). Otherwise, using social media during working hours must be reasonable and shouldn’t interfere with you carrying out your job.

What should I do if I see a colleague has posted something offensive or inappropriate on line?

If it’s something that’s personally offensive to you, you should speak to the person involved, if you’re comfortable to do so, and ask them to remove the post. If the posts aren’t removed or it happens again you should speak to your manager about it. If the post is directly about you, and has been posted without your consent or you’re offended by it, or it’s inappropriate, please speak to your manager or the senior management team.

If you endorse, share or send an offensive or inappropriate comment or message about FundsApps or your colleagues, it will be investigated and may result in us taking disciplinary action against you, which could lead to your dismissal.

If the post contains company information which you believe to be confidential (basically something which isn’t already in the public domain), you should report this immediately to our CTO and [e-mail].

Is social media monitored?

Yes. Social media sites are scanned for any mention of FundApps, our products and services or inappropriate comments about the company, our colleagues, managers or clients. If you spot anything that’s been posted about our business that concerns you please contact the senior management team.

Inappropriate behaviour including posting confidential or sensitive information will be investigated, and may result in us taking disciplinary action against you which could lead to your dismissal. You will be asked to co-operate with any investigation.

If it comes to our attention that any inappropriate posts, comments or messages have been made/sent by you or can be viewed on your profile, then we reserve the right to access these posts and to take copies of them. You may also be asked to remove any content that we consider to be a breach of this policy. If you don’t remove the content when asked, it may result in disciplinary action. Any such posts may be used in internal proceedings and/or legal action.

We treat the online world the same as the physical one, so if your post, comment or message would breach our policies in another forum it will breach it in an online forum too.

For anyone else not directly employed by FundApps: if you breach this policy we may terminate the arrangements we have with you for your services.